Insert for staircase

ABSTRACT

An insert for receiving the square end of a staircase spindle having a top, a generally cylindrical sidewall, a bottom, and a generally square bore that extends generally through the center of the inset.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/153,685 filed Feb. 19, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an insert for a staircase. More specifically, this invention relates to an insert for a staircase spindle having a square cavity.

Staircases having a railing and spindles extending therebetween are old and well known in the art. Many conventional spindles have a cylindrical end. Constructing a staircase using these spindles is very easy as the builder simply drills a round hole with a conventional drill bit of the corresponding size to receive the spindle in the desired location on the staircase. Then the builder places the spindle in the cylindrical opening made by the drill. This process is more difficult when the spindle end is square. Typically, a builder does not have a square drill and instead will drill a round hole having a diameter large enough to receive the square end of the spindle. The hole is then filled with epoxy to hold the spindle in place. Often the epoxy breaks down, or the builder neglects to use epoxy and the spindle will rotate. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a device that addresses these needs.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an insert that permits the easy installation of a spindle with a square end.

This and other objectives will be apparent to one skilled in the art based on the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An insert having a top, a bottom, and a sidewall, extending generally through the center of the insert is a bore that receives the square end of a staircase spindle. A fastener connects the insert to the staircase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an insert; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of an insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, the insert 10 has a top 12, a cylindrical sidewall 14, and a bottom 16. Extending generally through the center of the insert is a bore 18. The bore is generally square and is sized to receive the square end 20 of a staircase spindle 22. Preferably, the bore is ½ inch across.

The sidewall 14 is generally cylindrical and is sized to fit within a hole 24 made by a conventional round drill bit. Preferably, the sidewall 14 is ¾ inch high and the insert 10 is 1⅛ inches across.

In operation, a hole 24 is drilled on the edge of a stairstep with a conventional round drill bit. Once the hole 24 is made, the insert 10 is placed within the hole 24 and the square end 20 of the spindle 22 is placed in the bore 18. The spindle 22 is then rotated to the desired position and the insert 10 is secured in place with a fastener 26 such as by pounding a nail through the insert 10 and into the wood base 28 below. With the spindle 22 positioned within the bore 18, and the insert 10 secured in place with the fastener 26, the spindle 22 will not rotate.

Thus, an insert has been disclosed that at the very least meets the stated objective. 

1. An inset for a staircase spindle, comprising: an insert having a top, a sidewall and a bottom; a bore extending generally through the center of the insert; wherein the bore is generally square to receive the square end of a staircase spindle, and the sidewall is generally cylindrical.
 2. The insert of claim 1 wherein the bore is ½ inch across.
 3. The insert of claim 1 wherein the sidewall is ¾ inch high.
 4. The insert of claim 1 wherein the insert is 1⅛ inches across.
 5. The insert of claim 1 having a fastener. 